From the USFA website on June 5:
As you are probably already aware, House bill 3866 passed this week. The Senate bill, S2195, still has not been marked up in committee and is continually being held up by the amendments proposed by Senator Kennedy. To summarize, these amendments seek to include DHEA in the legislation and to strengthen the power of the DEA by facilitating the DEA's ability to list substances in the future. The lobby behind DHEA has proposed alternative language and Senator Biden has reportedly sent this language to the DEA for their input. I am told that currently, there is not the same sense of urgency to get the Senate version of the legislation passed in the Senate, as there was in the House. Our concern is that the pressure on Senator Durbin and Senator Kennedy may become so great that they not only abandon the proposed amendment, but they go ahead and vote on the House bill.
There are a number of possible scenarios that can play out, some more favorable than others to the success of our strategy. We have been in close contact with the loyal companies that support the USFA and it is in our best interests not to disclose our strategy at this time.
And now for the big question... "HOW MUCH TIME MIKE?"
The best I can do is to give you the best and worst case scenario. As things unfold next week, I will be able to provide a better estimate. Worst case scenario, just under two weeks. Best case scenario, I don't see it passing any later than August before the Olympic games, but we'll do our best.
On a final note:
Senate supplement hearing: Hearing entitled “Dietary Supplement Safety Act: How is FDA Doing 10 Years Later?� scheduled for June 8 by Senate Subcommittee on Government Oversight. Discussion will center on FDA’s “challenges and successes� in implementing the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act and will address whether the burden placed on the agency to protect the public is too “onerous�....
We will report what transpired at the hearing in the future. Be prepared for a media frenzy regarding the "loopholes" in DSHEA and the failures of the FDA, brought to you by Senator Durbin.
Michael J. DiMaggio
USFA Executive Director
Invalid Link Removed